inputs

library0.5pypypi✓ verified 84d ago

Cross-platform Python library for reading input events from keyboards, mice, and gamepads. Version 0.5 provides a consistent API across Windows, Linux, and macOS via raw device access. Release cadence is low; last updated 2020.

communication

pip install inputs

github ↗package ↗

INSTALL

IMPORT

SIG · INPUTS

inputs

communicationpythonv0.5

Install

1.5s avg

Import

61ms

Disk

16MB

Pass rate

10/ 10

Env Coverage10 / 10

glibc

3.9–3.13

musl

3.9–3.13

Install & Compatibility

Where this runs

tested against v0.5 · pip install

no network on importno background threads

Install × environment matrix

Each cell = how many times install + import succeeded across repeated harness runs. Partial = flaky.
glibc = Debian/Ubuntu slim · musl = Alpine Linux

musl

py 3.10–3.95 runs

installs and imports cleanly · install 0.0s · import 0.058s · 18MB

glibc

py 3.10–3.95 runs

installs and imports cleanly · install 1.5s · import 0.064s · 18MB

16MB installed

● package 16MB

Code

Verified usage

Verified import paths — ran on the pinned version, not inferred.

DeviceManager

✓ from inputs import DeviceManager

Correct import path for accessing devices

get_key

✓ from inputs import get_key

Function to read keyboard events

get_mouse

✓ from inputs import get_mouse

Function to read mouse events

get_gamepad

✓ from inputs import get_gamepad

Function to read gamepad events

Poll gamepad events in a loop. On Linux, ensure user has read permissions on /dev/input/event*.

from inputs import get_gamepad def main(): while True: events = get_gamepad() for event in events: print(event.ev_type, event.code, event.state) if __name__ == "__main__": main()

Debug

Known issues

gotchaOn Linux, event devices (e.g., /dev/input/event*) require read permissions. Run with sudo or add user to the 'input' group.

fix

sudo usermod -aG input $USER && log out and back in

affects: all

gotchaThe library does not support blocking reads; events are only returned when devices have been polled. Continuous polling may cause high CPU usage.

fix

Add a small sleep inside the loop, e.g., time.sleep(0.1)

affects: 0.x

deprecatedThe 'inputs' library is no longer actively maintained. Consider using 'pynput' or 'evdev' directly for future development.

fix

Migrate to pynput (pip install pynput) for cross-platform input control.

affects: 0.5

breakingmacOS support requires additional permissions and may not work without granting accessibility access to the terminal/IDE.

fix

Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy > Accessibility and add your terminal app.

affects: 0.5 (macOS)

Errors

Common errors & fixes

AttributeError: module 'inputs' has no attribute 'get_gamepad'

Older version of inputs or misspelled function name.

fix

Use 'from inputs import get_gamepad' (note: 'gamepad' not 'gamepad'). Check pip show inputs version >= 0.4.

PermissionError: [Errno 13] Permission denied: '/dev/input/event0'

User lacks read permissions on input device files on Linux.

fix

Run script with sudo or add user to 'input' group: sudo usermod -aG input $USER and re-login.

OSError: [Errno 19] No such device

No input device found (e.g., gamepad not connected or driver not loaded).

fix

Ensure the device is connected and recognized (ls /dev/input/ on Linux). On Windows, install drivers if needed.

Upgrade

Version history

0.5latest on PyPI · released Oct 5, 2018

Audit

Dependencies

evdevoptionalRequired on Linux for reading input events

Agent activity

25 hits · last 30 days

node

OpenAI (training)

Resources

githubhttps://github.com/zeth/inputs ↗

packagehttps://pypi.org/project/inputs/ ↗